■ZoiLis? 



'^, 



I P8 635 THE 

DINNER-PAIL MAN 



OR 



From POVERTY 

To FORTUNE 



WRITTEN AND 
COMFOSBD BY 



.7. B. LADUE TUNBRIDGE VERMONT 



I 



u 



OSBORNE THE PRINTER 
NORTH TUNBRIDGE VT. 



\ 



THE 
DINNER-PAIL MAN 



From Poverty to Fortune 



Written and 
Composed by 



J. B. LADUE, TUNBRIDQE, VT. 



Copyright 1904 
by J. B. I<adue 



I 



LIBRARY Of CONGSESS 
Two Copies Kecelved 

NOV 8 I9U4 

Gopynght Entry 
cuss i^ XX<^ Noi 



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TMP96-00646^ 



The 

Dinner Pail 

Man 

Act 1 : Scene 1 : 

Mc Kinnon — 

Well , Hazelton , are you ready for business to night? 
Hazelton — 

Yes, but McKinnon, I don't like to do that; she's the most love- 
ly child I ever set my eyes on. 
McKinnon — 

Bah! You're softening. Is tlie child here? 
Ildzelton — 

Oh yes, the child is under my custody until this Toms takes 
her and, even then, he must provide for her a home such as she 
would ha\e, had Lord Rockwell lived; or that mill proi)erty goes 
back to the child. 
^IvJ^i niion — 

This Toms is working for us and I've had him in our office and 
(juestioned him in regard to his relationship with Lord Rockwell and 
he knows nothing about it, whatever. He doesn't even know that 
thei'e ever was such a person on earth; so you see that we're perfect- 
ly safe. You can make a new will in your favor and enjoy all this 
vast M'ealtli. I'll take the mill and take care of the child for you. 

<4ive me the cliild and all those papers in that little box and 
] will see that vou are well secured. 



2 THE DINNER PAIL :\I A N 

Hazel to II — 

But I don't want anything to happen to the child. Mark my 
word , McKinnon ; if anything happens to the chihl and I find it out , 
I shall hound you until Kingdom come. 
JSlcKiniioii — 

Don't be so chicken-hearted. The child shall live and have a 
home and a father's and a mother's care. 
Hazelton — 

Well , if you're ready, come with me an<l I'll get the child. 
3IcJviiinon — 

Oh! That box! we must have that, also. 
Hazelton — 

Vou can take the box when we come back. ( Exit . ) 

MytiterUnis woman enters — 

Oh! That's the plot, is it? Well, I guess, Mr. McKinnon, 
that you Avon't have this little box when you come back. I'll take 
the box myself and see that it goes to it's rightful owner, if God 
lets me live. Oh , such a plot! And my husband one of the principal 
actors ! 

( Hazelton and McKinnon enter with child. Finds box missing) 
Hazelton — 

Some one has been here and taken that box and it must be one 
of the servants, because I saw that every door in the house was 
securely locked before you entered , and so I am sure that it has not 
gone out of the house . You shall have it just as soon as I can find it. 
McKinnon — 

Remember ! I must have those papers. 
Hazelton — 

Yes, I understand and vou shall have them. (Exit.) 



THE DINNER-PAIL ]M A N 3 

IlaT^ehon — 

Well, I call this getting rich quick, and not a great deal of 
trouble , either ; but, after all , I kinder hated to part with the child. 
Bah ! I shall forget all about it in a week or so. And now I must 
find that box, and woe to the one who took it. ( Exit.) 

( (her tain ) 
Scene 2 . 
{Street in loio section of the citi/. A man skulkiny loith 
child in arms. Puts child on door-step and skulks away. Child 
begins to cry. (rentlevia.n passes by under influence of some- 
thing stronger than himself. Stops. ) 

Hallo ! youngster ! (hie) Got locked out V Don't cry. (hie) 
Your mamma will come soon, (povnds on door) Get up here and let 
(hie) this child in. Confound the idiot! (hfc) ( The door opens 
and person appears tcith lamp tn hand) 

What's the matter ? 
Gentleman — - 

( Hie) Matter enough. Why do you want to ( hie) lock this 

child out? If you don't take better care of your children , I'll report 
you to the Committee on Cruelty to Animals ( hie) . 
Words froyn the house — 

Go along about your business. 

( Takes the child in. Man walks ((.cross stage. ) 
Gentleman — 

Well , if that dont beat me ! A man that will do ( hie ) that is a 
drunkard, ( hie) and I'm trying my best to put the filthy stuiT down. 
Oh! That will be joyful ; 
Oh ! That will be joyful . 
( Walks of. Curtain drops. ) 
Eight years are supposed to elapse from Scene second to 
Scene third. 



THE DINNER 1' A I L MAN 



Scene IJ. 
{ Scoie ill liilly Totna'' hoiifie ^ Maiicheater ^ J^nyland. Billy 
enters and sits doicn and hon's his head. Then says : ) 

Wife, it's MO use. I can't get work anywhere. They've got 
me on the black-list and the best thing for me to do is to leave the 
country. I've just met McKinnon and, said he: "Toms, you had 
better leave the country;" and I'm going to do it. 
3Irs. Toms— 

How are you going, Billy V We haven't a 'alf-penny iji the 
house and T am sure you haven't one in your pocket. 
mily— 

Your right , wife; I haven't a 'alf-penny in my pocket; but » 
nevertheless, I shall start this very day for Liverpool and watch mj' 
chances and , if T can't ship any other way , I shall go as a stowaway. 
Mrs. Toms— 

What's that? 
Jiilly— 

I'll tell you what's a stowaway. A man kind of skulks around 
and when he gets a good chance he gets aboard the ship and he goes 
down into the hold and then, when she is two or three days out at 
sea, he comes out and they make him work his passage. 
3Irs. Toms — 

Oh ! But, Billy, I don't like to have you go that way ; I'm afraid 
something will happen to you. 
JBilly— 

But, wife, what else can I do; I've spent the last dollar almost 

a week ago , for provisions for the house , and that can't last always 5 

and when that's gone , God, only , knows where I can get any more . 

You know that I've been two years trying to get work. I've been 



THE DINNER-PAIL I\I A N 

SCKNK H. 

Strike in Manchester, England. 

Strikers ;ire running after a youth, because lie asked to go to 
work. They shout " Scab ! " and throw sticks and stones. Just 
before they cross the stage the first time, an oi-gan-gi-inder with a 
monkey passes by, and plays as he passes. Just as he is out of 
sight he meets the mob which knocks him down and tramples on 
him. Youth passes across stage with mob close behind. Oi-gan- 
grinder comes in holding dead monkey by the tail and cries: — 

" Oh ! My monkey ! My monkey ! ! My monkey ! ! ! He 
killee him , by tam ! Sellee peach Englishman." Says something in 
his native tongue and throws monkey at the mob. The youth runs 
across the stage the second time and is run down on the stage; and 
with cries of " Kill the Scab!" "Kill the Knob-stick!" the mob 
knocks him down and tramples on him until he is unconscious. At 
this juncture , Billy Toms rushes in, knocks mob right and left, 
picks up youth in his arms, doubles up his fist and says: — 

"As my name is Billy Toms, let no man dare to lay his hand on 
the boy ! • You cowards ! You brutes ! Don't you know that you 
have i-uined your cause through this cowardly act of yours ? Don't 
you know that this will be wired all over the world in less than 
twenty-four hours ? You fools ! Go home , every one of you ! " 

Stands facing the mob until they all go , one by one. Billy 
then passes off stage. Organ-grinder passes by, carrying dead 
monkey by the tail and shouts :- - 

"Goot poy , Billy! " 

( Curtain ) 



THE DINNEIJ-PAIL MAN 

( Scene 3 , Continued ) . 

After Organ-grinder passes , a dude enters and sags : — 

Oh, girls, girls! Don't you wish you could have me V My 
mamma sent me out to take the air. She says a little air does 
anyone good , don't-cher-know ! The boys call me " Sissy " ; I think 
it's very wrong. My name is Reginald ; they call me " Reggie , " for 
short. My papa is I^ord Guigelbeck. My mamma says I mustn't 
marry here in England — I must go to America. Oh, girls, girls! 
I'm awful sorry for you , but you will have to go to my mamma. 

( ^xit ) 
( After organ-grinder j^asses hg vnth dead monkeg , dude comes 
back. He has been struck bg th,e mob and is a. sight to behold : 
clothes all torn and dirtg and the print of a )iian\^ shoe on his 
shirt-front . ) 

Dude — 

My goodness, gracious, sakes alive! They stepped i-ight on my 
bosom! What will my mamma say y I was just winking with me 
eye at a pretty girl on the other side when the cyclone struck , and 
they stepped right on my bosom ! ( Exit ) ( ()rgan-(/rinder comes 
hack with dead rnonkeg as dude talks ) 
Organ-grinder — 

My monkey, he winka with his oder eye when the cyclubber- 
stick ! He strika him and he stepa on him bodysum , and he came 
dead pretty quick ! My poor monkey ! ( Cries of " Kill the Scab! " ) 

Organ-grinder runs after his organ and throws it on his shoulder,, 
saying : — 

Cyclubberstick ! Sellee peach ! ( A brick strikes his organ 
and smashes it ) 



THE ]> I N N E 11 PAIL MAN 5 

in every mill in England , and they all seem to know me. Now then, 
I've made up my mind to turn my back on Old England forever; 
yes! if I can't go any other way, I shall go as a stowaway and trust 
in God Almighty for protection. All I shall he worried about will 
be you and l)aby. Poor little gu-1 ! 
Mrs. Toms — 

A''es , it will break her heart to sepaiate fr(»in you; but, Billy, 
where are you going? A^ou haven't told me. 

{Billy rises from chair) 

Wife , where else can a man go who has been persecuted by all 
these mill-owners , but to America— the land of freedom and of 
peace ? Yes , wife , I shall go to America , if God lets me live. 
[ Jjillian comes in v!th doll in arms) 

Hallo , papa ! Got any work to-day ':* 
Toms — 

No , child , no work. 

( Lillian puts her arm around his neck) 

Well, wife, I suppose I must be going, because the sooner I get 
there , the more time 1 shall have to see how the land lays. 
Lillian — 

Where are you going, pa ? 
Billy— 

To America, child. 
Lillian — 

And will you be back to-morrow ? 
Billy— 

Oh , no , child ! 
Lillian— 

Why not? When you went away, the other time, you came 



G THE DINNER PAIL :\IAN 

back the next day. 
Billy— 

Yes, child. I know. But this is quite a good ways further. 
. ( Wife turns and covers her fare and weeps) 
Lillian — 

How much further , pa V 
Billy— 

Oh 1 It's across the sea, child. Pa is going to find a place to 
live , and he will send for mamma and his little girl. 
Lillian — 

But , pa , we have't got any money ; mamma said we hadn't a 
'alf-penny in the house. 
Billy— 

Oh ! But papa will send you some to go with. 
Lillian — 

Why , pa ! They won't give you any work since 3'ou were the 
leader of the union. Oh, that old union I I wish you had never 
seen it ; don't you , pa ? 
Billy— 

They don't know your pa in America , so he won't have any 
trouble in getting all the work he wants. 
Lillian — 

Don't go , j)a ! don't go ! stay here. 

I don't like to go ; but you and your ma must have something 
to eat and something to wear. 
lAllian — 

Ma's got some biscuit in the pantry. 
Billy , siniliny — 

Has she? 



THE DINNEE-PAIL MAN 7 

Lillian — 

Yes. And , pa, my Sunday School teacher said , last Sunday, 
that, in some way or other, the Lord will provide. Do you believe 
that , pa '? 
Billy— 

Yes, I guess so. Wife , I must be going, so good-bye. 
( Wife looks up with tear-stained face , but does not speak ; she 
puts her arm around his neck. Lillian sees her niamnta xceeping., 
and stamps her little foot on the floor and says : ) 

Don't you go , pa ; don't you see you are making my mamma 
weep ? 

( /She bursts into childish tears. Lilly makes no reply but kisses 
Lillian and departs ., not saying a irord. Waves his hand behind 
hi)//. Takes out handkerchief and is gone. Wife sobs and 
L^illian cries aloud. Soon TAllian looks upj ., v)ipes her eyes and 
says : ) 

Oh dear ! This is perfectly awful , but I suppose we'll have to 
get along some way. 
( Mother look.s ap with team in Jier ef/e>^ , and .^mi/e-^ ) 

You dear little girl ! You've got more sense than your mother has 
( Takes he?' wp in her arms and kisses her ) 

Yes , child . This is all on account of your pa being the leader 
of a union. 

hady enters — 

Mr. Toms here ? 
Jfy.s. Tom.^- 

No , Madam. He has just gone out. 
Lady — 

I came to tell you that they are after your husband. 



8 THE DINNER PAIL MAN 

3Irs. Toms — 

Why ! What for ? 
Lady — 

There has been a bank-robbery, last night. They broke into 
the bank and stole -I 50 , 000.00 and they are trying to fasten the 
crime on to your husband. I, being the magistrate's wife, overheai'd 
them talking about it and so I thought I would come and inform you. 
Mrs. Toms- 
Why ! Billy didn't go out of the house last night. 
I^adtj — 

I know , Mrs. Toms , that your husband is innocent. If I had 
not been sure , I would not have come here to inform yon. 

( Goes out. Two officers enter) 
Officer— 

Is Toms here 'i 
Mrs. Toms — 

No , sir. 
Officer — 

Are you telling us the truth '? 
Mrs. Toms — 

If you don't believe me, you can search the house. 
Officer — 

If you don't tell ns where Toms is, we'll have to take you. 
Mrs. Toms- - 

r can tell where Billy is : he went away for America last night. 
Officer— 

He aint the man Ave want. ( Officers go out) 

LilKmi laughs and says : — 

Mamma you was enough for them ; wasn't you ? When you lie 



THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 9 

that way, it aint no sin ; is it , niaV 
Mrs. Toms — 

Yes, child; it's wrong to lie at any time, but I hope God will 
forgive me ; I did it for your pajDa's sake. 

( Loud noise outsida. Pistol shots are heard. Mot/ier and child 
yo out^ frightened, (^urtain drops; rises (t(/((i u to disclose scene 
in street ofcitij — tn-o o/'p'cers pass hy irith tn-o men ., handcuffed., 

SCENK (^ 

(This scene is laid in Boston. Curtain rises disclosing 
Cadwell & Shaw's law ofHce.) 

Mr. Cadvell — 

Then , Dick , you are bent on going to the mills 'r* 
Dick— 

Yes, father, it is my wish to go to the mills. 
(\,,r„'ell— 

Boy! I'm disappointed at such foolishness. You! My only 
son ! Going to the cotton mills to work , and to be a common mill- 
operative! You've just gone through college and what will it all amount 
to? You might just as well stay at home and , in another year, you 
wdll be admitted to the Bar and that means a great den! to you , with 
your father's name back of you. 
Dick— 

Yes , father , that is all true. Admitting that you are a great 
lawyer, you are also a great mill-man and that is one reason that I 
wish to go into the mills. You aie the treasurer of the mills in 
N . H . , and here in Boston- -what do you know of what is going on 
in those mills'? All you can know is what the agents and overseers 
might tell you and , upon my word , T do not believe they always tell 



10 THE D I X K E R PAIL M A N 

the truth : 1 l»elieve that strike iu Manchester, K . H . , last iDonth , 
was not a one-sided affair ; I believe tliat man, Clack, was just as 
much to blame as the laborers. 

('(/(ficel/ — 

What do you mean, boy? That man, Clack, is one of the best 
ovei'seers in the corporation. He runs his department c]iea])er than 
auN' other overseer in the corpoi'ation. 

Dick- 
How do you know that ? 

CdiJicell — 

Why! Mr. ^laynott told me so. 
])<ck~ 

What about Mr. Maynott installing a friend of his as overseer in 
one of the lai'gest weaving rooms in the corpoi-ation — a man who 
knew nothing about weaving — and , thi'ough his poor management 
he -^Ir. Maynott— and this overseer, and the overseer of the boilers 
worked all night bm-ning about |! 1500 worth of cloth. Did Mi-. 
Maynott tell you about that? 
Cadii-eU— 

Someone has been stuffing you up, and you are foolish enough 
to believe it all, Dick. 
T){<:1- — 

Father, I believe that you will find just as many truthful ones 
among those who carry a dinner-pail or a lnneh-l)ox as among those 
who carry thousands of dollars in check-l)ooks. That is the way 
those mistakes are made, and the man who earns one dollar a day 
has to pay for it all through a slight cut-down . Of course you do 
not know about it; you get your dividend , just the sjin;e, and that 
is the way it goes on . But is that right? AVould you like to be 
treated that way ? 



THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 11 

(Ja dwell — 

In what department do yon want to go ? 
Dick— 

I would like to go in Mv. Clack's room ; will yon let me go V 
Cadvjell — 

I must catch that train for Manchester ; I will let yon know 
when I return. Pete go to the phone and tell Mr. Hill to send my 
carriage to the ofhce as soon as possible. 

( Son and father r/o ont ) 
Pete- — [at the phone) 

I , golly ! Aint this great! I wonder if I could i)lay a tune on 
this. ( Plays ) 

( Voice through phone) 

>Stop monkeying with that phone , you black monkey ! 
{ Pete repeats: Black monkey I ((nd squeezes the speak iny-tiibe) 

Who told you I was black ? 
( Strikes at phone ^ then says:) Halloo, there Central I (Tive me 
Hill ; tell him to send me my carriage as quick as possible. 

( (roe% and sits down. Phone rings ) 
Pete an steers — 

Halloo! Don't you know who I is V I is Wm. D. Cadwell & 
Co. — that's who I is. 

( Goes a/id sits doicn , puts feet on desk , takes out cigarette and 
lights it and is some great one. 3fr. Cadirell enters ) 
(kfdwell — 

Have you telephoned for my carriage , Pete? 
Pete- 
Yes Sir. 
( 3Jr. Cadirell looks at watch , the?i goes to pjhone ) 



12 THE D I N K E R PAIL :VI A X 

Halloo there I Give me 34(i4. You can go now , Pete. That 
sjcoundrej of a boy ! 1 shall be fortunate if I catch that train for 
N. H . Is that you, John V Send my carriage as quick as possible. 
( Goes out ) 

( Dick ent (')•.< o^iffcK ii'ith his c/noH , l/arj-;/ RockfeJJ ) 
Tlurrij — 

Dick, I am astonished at you I Going to tlie mills to work , and 
you with all this bright prospect before you of becoming one of the 
greatest lawyers in Boston! Your father tells me that in another 
year you will be admitted to the Bar, and then you will be connected 
with the biggest law firm in New England. 
Dick , sin i ling — 

That is all true , Harry. 
Harry — 

Then why go to these cotton mills? And going as a common 
mill-hand! Why! If you were going in the ofhce, that would be 
bad enough. People then would say: He is going to look after his 
father's interests ; but it's just the other way : you are going there 
for the intei'est of the laborers, and that means i-ight against the 
interest of your father. I never heard of such a thing ! You are 
breaking your father's heart over this affair. ^Vhat do you need to 
care aljout those cotton-mills people? They are not of your class. 
They'll kick you for this; _you mark my word! They are a bad set, 
the best of them, and pea soup is good enough for them. So don't 
be foolish enough to go there and be a spy against your father's 
mill. Did you ever hear of such a thing ! And taking })art with that 
low set! \Vhy , Dick, you ought to have a guardian ! 
Dick— 

Harry Rockfell , \ am as astonished with you as you are with 
me ! You , a teacher in the Sunday School ! Haven't you any of 
those poor V)oys in your class ? 



THE DINNER -PAIL MAN IR 

Harry — 

Yes. 
Bid-— 

Do you teacli tlu'in that pea soup is good enough for tlieni ? 
Hurry — 

Oh, well; that's another question. 
Dick — 

What do mean \)\ " another question 'i '' Do you mean that tliey 
should be made to eat pea soup six days in the week, then roast on 
the seventh , because they go to the Sunday School ? What about 
those who do not go? Harry, there is a great wrong going on in 
those mills and the laborer seems to be to blame for it all and I am 
going to find out. You know there are always two sides to a 
question ; but, with this, there seems to be but "one ; and I hope I 
shall find out before T am many days older. 
Harry — 

Yes, and when you have found out you will get a good kicking 
for your trouble and it will be good enough foi- 30U. If I were in 
your father's place , I would not let you go. 
Dick— 

I'm glad you are not. 

Scene \P 
[iSce)ie i)i Vail River ^ Dilly Toms'' home. lOyrs. are supposed 
to haoe elapsed since Billy'' s departure from Eaglatidto America) 
Billy comes /louie jTrom work on a strike. (^(dls to his loife : - — 
Mother! Mother! Mother! 

( Mrs. Toms enters : ) 
3Irs. Toms — 

Why Billy ! What's the matter with the man ! 



14 THE D I N N E K PAIL MAN 

Billy— 

Matter enough I ^Vlly in the blood}- , bleeding bugger don't 
thee stay in the house sometime ? 
Mrs. Totux— 

Why, Billy! I was only over to Mrs. Dun's for a minute. 
Billij— 

Well , I'm done too. 
3rrs. 7'oniti — 

Haven't you got any work to-da}- , Billy 'i 
BUhj— 

That's just what it is. On a strike again. Wife, I'm going 
away from this bloody place. It's "strike" all the whole bloody 
time. It's as bad as the Old Country . 
Mrs. To)ii^ — 

But where are you going? You don't want to join the union, 
and it's "union " jiretty much everywhere, now. 
BlJhj— 

Wife, I would gladly join the union , but do you blame me for 
not joining them after what happened in the Old Country? I Avas 
driven out of England because I was the leader of a union . 
Everybody went back on me, even the laborers themselves; and you 
know what awful times you and the baby and I had to keep the wolf 
from the door; and, finally, I had to leave you and baby alone and 
come to this country ; and my own little girl never knew how her 
father came across. Yes , a stowaway ; and may God help me to 
forget it: it will drive me mad. 
Wife iripes teart,- fr<>)n Iter eye.^ and says : - - 

I wouldn't talk about it any more , Billy. Where are you 
going to look foi- woi'k ? 



T H J-; 1) I N N E 11 - ]^ A I I. M A N 15 

Hill,/— 

I am going to Manchester, N. H. ; theie are quite a numbei- 
of mills there and 1 know I shall be able to find something to do at 
weaving. 

Billy , Ixr-fore you go , I want to tell you something that happened 
l)efoi-e Lillian and I left the Old Country. Two days before we left , 
a lady came to the liouse and gave me this little box and, as it 
happened , Lillian was out at that time. The lady said this little 
box must not be opened until Lillian was eighteen years old . and 
that she would be eighteen this Christmas. We have always 
supposed that her birthday came on the 'iOth. of October, which 
will be next month. That gold neck-chain she had on her neck — 
the lady said the key to the little locket was in the box. 

B ill II— 

Pshaw! It may be one of those infernal machines, and when 
you open the box we'll all be blowed up, every bloody one of us. 

Well, wife, I'm going to catch that tiain for Hoston : they tell 
me I can o-o from Boston without chano-jno; cars. 

J/y.s. To 111.$ — 

Don't go until Lillian comes home. 

Billy— 

I can't stay here and idle away niy time. Tell her tliat pa has 
gone to look for work. 

( Kissea wife and exits ) 
M/s. Toms 171 passion of tears ^ kneels doion and says : — 

Oh , God! Give us this day our daily bread : that is all we want. 
( Rises to het' feet and repeats the poor man'' s prayer : ) 



16 THE DINNER PAIL MAN 

The rich man hath his pew of pride 

And velvet stool of prayer ; 
The poor man's church is very wide — 

He kneeleth anywhere. 

The rich man , while with plenty fed, 

Still asketh larger store ; 
The poor man prays for daily bread , 

And scarcely meaneth more. 

The rich man maketh many prayers; 

The poor man needs but one. 
His broken heart to God repairs 

And prays: "Thy will be done." 

( Lillian comes /lonie from work , hoich-basket in /untd. liehind 
the f<cenei< she sings tJie chorus of Bexdah Land. ) 
O! Beulah land, sweet Beulah land I 
As on the highest mount I stand , 
I look away across the sea , 
Where mansions are prepared for me. 
And view the shining glory shore — 
My heav'n , my home forevermore. 
Why , ma , you've been weeping. 
J//\*;. Toms — 

No, child. Just one of my foolish spells. That's all. 
( LjiUian puts her arm around her mother'' s )ieck and says : ) 
Tell me all about it , mamma dear, ^"\"on't you ? 
Mrs. Toms — 

Well , your pa is out of work again : on a strike. 
Lillian — 

Yes, I heard the weave shop was on a strike, and I heard 



THE D I N N E 11 - r A I L MAN 17 

the}' were going to shut down all the mills in the city. If they do, 
what will become of all those poor people V 
J//"6'. Toms — 

Some of them will fare prett}' hard , I am afraid. 
L illian — 

Well, in some way, or other, the Lord will [»i-ovide. 

Where is pa going V 
Mrs. Torus — 

He is going to Manchester, N . H . 

Lillian — 

I should think he had trouble enough in one Manchester, 
without going to another one. 
Mrs. Torus — 

You know , the people are different here. The dinner-pail man 
has something to say here in America; while in the Old Country he 
is as good as nothing. I hope your father will join the union when 
he gets to Manchester , N . H . 
Lillian — 

Why do you want him to join the union ; don't you remember 
what the union did to him in England V 
Mrs. Toms — 

Yes, but the unions are different now: they are growing older 

and stronger and they are not so easily bought as they were. Child : 

do you know Fm in love with America '? Oh , may tlie people of 

America, rich and poor, even to the little tots, join in singing — 

My Country , "'tis of thee — 

Sweet Land of Liberty. 

God bless America ! 
( BotJi retire , while handphtys one refrain of America, (hirtain ) 



18 THE DINNER PAIL MAN 

Act 2 . Scene 1 . 

( This scene is laid in Manchester ^ N^ . H . Inthe mill at noon- 
hour . ) 

Mary Burvhaht and Lillian Toms, weavers; 

Jim Kass, the loom-fixer; 

Dick Cadwell, the bobbin-boy. 

Mary — 

Oh, dear, girls ! I don't know what I shall do : I can't get my 
loom fixed. That big son-of-a-gun can't fix looms a little bit. That 
loom — the shuttle has been flying out the last two weeks , and he 
can't fix it. Every time I go after him he tells me to go to 

H , or something worse sometimes; and I am all discouraged. 

Girls, we ought to all get together and go and see the agent, Mr. 
Maynott. 

Uxch - 

Why don't you go and tell Mr. Clack V 

Mary — 

Yes, Go to Mr. Clack — and get turned out I Why! He turned 
out three girls last month for the same thing: Mary Connels , 
Lillie King and Nellie Harvey. All the girls left their work; and 
there was a general strike all over the mill; and we wouldn't go to 
work until they took those three girls back in again. \\'hyIThat 
big son-of-a-gun is Mr. Clack's wife's brother and he wouldn't let 
him go. If he did . he couldn't get work anywhere else : the}' 
wouldn't keep him, the big son-of-a-gun! Well, if something aint 
done before long, tliat shuttle will surely kill someone. 

Lillian, — 

It flew out the other day and went right l)v my head. 



THE D I N N E Tl - P A I L M A N 19 

Why don't you go to Mr. Clack, yourself, and tell him that 
you're afraid to work here on account of tliat loom V 
Lillian — 

Oh, I wouldn't go to iiim if I knew that shuttle was going to 
kill me: I'm afraid of him. 
Dick— 

I don't see why you should be afraid of Mi-. Clack. 
Lillidii — 

Oh, you don't know him. He might turn j>a and I both out of 
the mill , and what should we do ? No , pa has had trouble enough , 
already . 
Dick — 

But that shuttle might fly out and put your eyes out. 
Mary — 

Yes , there is an old lady working here who had an eye put out 
by a shuttle flying out of a loom, and she sued the Company, but 
she didn't get a cent. They said she was to blame. The idea that 
a weaver's to blame for a shuttle flying out of a loom! You see her? 
She works over in No. 1. She wears a black cloth over that eye. 
Dick — 

Yes, I've seen her ; and T wondered why she had that cloth 
over her eye. 
Mar II — 

Yes , and she didn't get a cent ! 
Dick— 

That's too bad. They ought to have given her a thousand or two. 
Mary — 

You catch them giving two thousand dollars for an eye ! they 
wouldn't give that for your neck I The son-of-a-gun ! Oh, dear! I 
can't earn my salt. Last week I only made hve dollars and a half 



20 T HE D I X X E K PAIL :\1 A X 

when I ought to have made eight dollars and a half; and this week 
all I can make is six dollars, when I ought to make nine dollars. 

Dick— 

Don't get discouraged , girls; better times are coming. 

Mary — 

Ves, when we are all dead. I've worked for this corporation 
for over twenty years and it has been growing worse, instead of 
better. When I began to work in this mill, twenty years ago, 
there was but one Agent and one Superintendent , but now it would 
take a multiplication table to count them. Why, T could go out in 
the yard , pick up a stone , shut my eyes and throw it and , I bet a 
cook}-, it would hit a Super. Why , they are as thick as crows in a 
Vermont corn-field. 

D i<:k — ( sni Hi in/ ) 

Vou must remember that this corporation has greatly increased 
in the last twent}' years; and, therefore, they must have more of that 
kind of help to run these mills . 
Mar II — 

Yes, I know that this corporation is a great deal larger than it 
was when I first came here , but why can't they run more work for 
the same pay, just as well as we can? Twenty years ago I run three 
looms, and I could make eight and nine dollars a week ; now I have 
to run six looms , and all I can make is five and a half and six dollars ; 
but I suppose I could make more if that big son-of-a-gun fixed my 
looms. 
DicA'^ — {^smili)i(i) 

I guess you'll get along in this world. 
Mary — 

Yes, Dick, I have learned to get along in this world, or fight 



THE DIN NETl PAIL MAN 21 

in this world, for I believe , from my own experience, that a poor 
girl , working in these mills , and shops , has got to fight the battle 
of her life to keep her honor and make a Hving; but I've shed many 
tears before I learned to tight, just as this poor girl , here. I've seen 
her in tears many times and I know just what it is. You hght on , 
brave Lillian , and you'll win the battle. I began to work in the 
mill when I was fifteen and I've worked twenty years, and I can 
hold up my head and defy any man or woman to point to a single 
stain on my character. All there is against me is that I carry a 
dinner-pail. 
Dick— 

I must go to ray dinner. Mr. Clack has just come in. 
( Exits ) 
Mary — 

I think that Dick Cadwell is a gentleman , every inch of him. 
By-the-way ! Our treasurer's name is Cadwell ; I wonder if Dick 
can be some relation of his V 
Lillian — 

Oh no ; if he was he wouldn't be carrying tilling. 
Mary — 

Does he go to your house';:' 
Lillian — 

Yes , sometimes. 
Mary — 

I suppose you're going to marry him . 
Lillian — 

Sometime. ( Puts her hand to her mouth . ) 

Mary — 

I wouldn't marry a mill-man. You'll have to work in the mill 
all the days of your life and , especially , a bobbin boy. How are 
you going to live on a dollar a day? 



22 THE D I N N E K PAIL MAN 

LUlidii — 

Dick woirt be a bobbin-boy always. I su|tpose you would 
rather marry a loom-tixer V 
Mdfi/ , — ((cit/i hands up) 

Oh ! I would rather marry the Devil , himself! Oh, the son-of- 
a-gun ! 

( Jlr. Clack patttfing by is stopped by Mary who says : ) 

Mr. Clack , would you be kind enough to look at that loom 'f 
The shuttle keeps flying out , and I can't get it fixed. I'm afraid it 
will Hy out and hit some one. 
Mr. Clack— 

You seem to be greatly concerned about someone else. You 
attend to your own business. I am not going to bother with your 
loom ; if your loom-lixer can't fix your loom, I'm sure I can't. 

( I'asses by ) 
Addresses Z,illian — 

How do you do, Lillian dear? 
Ultiaii — 

Pretty well; thank you. But, Mr. Clack, I would rather you 
wouid call me just plain: "Lillian". 1 have never been called 
" dear " by anyone but my own folks , and I shall insist on being 
called ))lain "Lillian Toms." 
Clack— 

Oh , if Dick Cadwell called you that , you wouldn't say anything . 
Lillian — 

Mr. Clack , you must remember that you are a married man 
and Dick Cadwell is not ; and Dick Cadwell is a gentleman. 
(Hack— 

Yes. And Dick Cadwell must stop talking to you girls, or he 
will have to get out of here. 



THE DINNERPAIL MAN 23 

Lillian — 

Why , Mr. Clack ! Dick don't hinder us girls any ; we take off 
just as much cloth as the other girls . 

{Miss Louise Demars , a French- Canadian girl, conies and asks 
Mary to speal- to Mr. Clack for Iter. >S/ie, too, can't get her 
loom fixed. ) 
Clack — ( looking at the ttco girls ) 

What's the trouble? 
Mary — 

She can't get her looms fixed. 

Clack— 

She had bettey go home , then ; that's the best I can do for her. 
( Ooes aioay ) 
( Speed goes on . Looms start up . Loorn-fxer goes by . ) 
Mary — 

Will you come and fix my loom':' 
Fixer looks at her and says : - — 

Get out , you nuisance ! 
Mary turns on him and says : — 

Get out yourself , you drunkard ! You're a bum and a big no-good. 
Fixer — 

And what are you? 
Mary — 

I'm a lady. 
Fixer — ( Laughing ) 

A lady ! 
Mary — 

Yes. A lady, and you don't know enough to know it. Oh 
but you could tell a glass of beer if you see it. 
{ Fixer goes to lootn , slams his tools on floor and commences to 



24 THE D I N N E K PAIL MAN 

toork on looui icit/t biy monkeu-wrench. 'Wrench slips and he 
falls oit his hacli an Jfoor. Mary has a Jit of lauyhter and holds 
her sides. F'ixer puts his hands on his back , looks at Mary and 
says : ) 

I'll go to Clack and have you turned out. 
Mary — 

Mr. Kass , I wasn't laughing at you ; I was looking out of the 
window and I saw a little bird pulling at a worm , trying to get it 
f>ut of the ground , and his little bill slipped and he fell right over on 
his back. ( Goes on laughiny ) 

Fixer — 

Oh , you 'd laugh at nothing. 
Mary — ( N^ods her head ) 

Yes. 

( Fixer works a few minutes longer at loom . then goes away. Looms run about one 
minute , then shuttle flies ovit and hits Lillian on temple just as Dick passes by with 
box on his shoulder. Lillian puts hand to temple, staggers and falls. Dick drops 
box and is at Lillian's side. Holds her head and calls for help. Mary comes and is 
greatly excited. Runs and gets wash-basin with water and bathes her temple. 
Takes her handkerchief and binds up her head Takes her shoes off and rubs her 
feet. Other girls come and help. Clack happens that way . ) 

Clack— 

What's iill this rumpus ? 
Mary— 

Rumpus ! T should think so ! I told you , Mr. Clack , that loom 
would hurt someone. 
Clack — ( .Pointing to Mary\s loork ) 

You go to your work , and stay there ( and to the other girls ) 
Go to your work , every one of you. 

( Girls all obey with the exception of Mary., a faitlifnl friend to 
Lillian ) 
Clack — {to Mary) 



THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 25 

Didn't I tell you to go to your work V 
Mary — 

I shall stay by this poor girl if I'm turned out a thousand times. 
{Stoops doion ami rubs Lillian^ s feet ^ smooths her temple, etc.) 
Clack — ( to Did- ) 

You haven't any business here, so you can go right along about 
your work. 
Dick— 

I shall stay here until Miss Toms recovers. 
Clack- - 

You will , will you? We'll see about that. Get up and go to 
your work. ( Takes Dick hy the collar) 

Dick — {to Mary) 

Come and hold Miss Toms a minute . ( On .his feet, to (lack) 
I command you, Mr. Clack, never to lay your hands on me again ! 
Clack — 

What do you mean, you young scamp? Commanding me! 
Take that ! 

( Deals Dick a blow but it fall^ short ; Dick deals one in veturn which lands on 
Clack's optic and knocks him down. Clack rises to his feet and says : ) 

I shall call an officer and have you put where you belong. 

( Dick makes no reply to this, but gets down and assists Mary. Ambulance comes 
and takes I.illian. Officer comes and arrests Dick; Dick makes no resistance. 
Strike is on in weave-room. All get together. Calls for Billy Toms. Billy enters ) 

What's up here , friends ? 
Mary Bamhart — 

Your Lillian got hit by a shuttle and fainted and the ambulance 
has taken her away and Dick's arrested. 
Billy— 

Why didn't someone come and tell me about this? 
Mary — 

Mr. Clack wouldn't let us. We're on a strike and we want you. 



26 THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 

Mr. Toms , to go to the agent , Mr. Maynott , tell him that we can't 
get om- looms fixed and we refuse to go to work unless we can have 
someone that can fix them as we are losing from two to three dollars , 
some weeks, from our looms being stopped so much for the want of 
fixing. 

Billy— 

My friends: T would gladly represent you, and take it as a 

great honor to be the representative of my fellow-workmen ; but I 

have had so much trouble in the past that I don't feel like accepting 

this honor at this time. 

All together — 

You must go , Mr. Toms. 
Billy— 

My friends: Ten years ago this month, I left England for 
America with not a dollar in my pocket and , Avorse still , I left a 
wife and little girl with scarcely enough to eat for the morrow ; and 
tongue cannot describe the hardships that befell me on my voyage 
over, and it was all because I was the leader of a union. The help 
wanted an increase in their wages and I was sent as a representative 
to the office of the m\\\. They refused to give the increase , so the 
help went out on a strike , and everybody seemed to blame me for it. 
At last they sent for the help and told them that , if they would 
drop me, they (the mill-owners ) would grant the increase. They 
dropped me ; and that aint all : I was driAcn out of my country , 
through starvation. And now, my friends, you have heard my 
story I hope you will appoint someone else. 
Mary — ( stepping foricard and extending her hand to Billy ) 

I do solemnly promise , so help me God ! that whatever happens 
to you in representing us I, Mary Burnhart, will share it with you. 
All together — 



THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 27 

So will we. 

Mary — 

With this assurance, Avill you represent us, Mr. Tom. 

( Billy hoxos his he2kd for a moment^ then straightens up and 

says : ) 

Yes, I will: for I am sure that you are an honest and earnest 

people and mean to be fair with everybody ; and , by representing 

you, I believe that I am doing ray duty to God and man. 
( All retire , vnth a shout ) 

Billy — ( turning ) 

Friends! Now then , if you want me for a leader, you must 

stop that shouting. We are all ladies and gentlemen , and we must 

conduct ourselves as such. 

All- 
Yes. , That's true. 

Act 3 . Scene 1 . 

( This scene is laid in Agent Mnynotfs office. Billy 7''oms , as 
operatives^ representative , is announced by office boy) 
Billy — ( entering office : ) 

Mr. Maynott, I come to you in behalf of my fellow laborers. 
Will you hear our grievance ? 
3Ir. Maynott — 

Well , what is it ? 
Billy— 

We have a loom-fixer that can't fix looms and the weavers are 
bothered very much ; so much that some of them tell me that they 
have lost as much as two dollars , and sometimes three dollars in a 
single week with their looms being stopped for the want of fixing. 



28 THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 

Mr. 3Iaynott — 

Has Mr. Clack been informed that such work was going on 'i 
Billy— 

Yes Sir ; repeatedly ; and they tell rae that he only laughs at it. 
Mr. Maynott — 

I don't believe any such thing ; I don't believe that Mr. Clack 
would allow any such work to go on in his room and only laugh at 
it, as you say. It's all a trumped-up lie; it's all because your loom- 
fixer don't belong to you* union. You have been making a fuss 
over this for sometime , and now you've gone on a strike ; but you'll 
never have a union loom-fixer , just as long as I'm here. So you 
might as well go back to work . But wait a moment ! ( xSYejos to 
phone ) Give me 3464. Yes. ( Sits dovji ) So you're the 
representative of this union ? 
Billy— 

Yes , Sir. I have the honor to be the representative of my 
fellow- workmen . 
Mr. Maynott — 

Great honor! I should think that they would have chosen 
someone else ; but I don't suppose it makes much difference; they're 
a bad set , at their best. 
Billh— 

Mr. Maynott , the dinner-pail man is just as much as the man 
who rests his elbows on a mahogany desk , although he has no place 
to rest his elbows except a cotton-loom at the noon hour. 
Maynott — 

Toms , how did you come to this country '? 
Billy— 

I don't consider that it would be of any benefit to you if I 



THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 29 

should tell you ; I consider that my business. I might ask you how 
you came to get this position as agent of these great mills, but I'll 
be a man and mind my own business. One thing I'm proud of , and 
that is: that poverty is no crime! I came here , not to talk of my- 
self , nor for myself , but for my fellow-laborers. 

Maynott — 

Toms , I think you had better go somewhere else to work ; this 
city isn't big enough for you. 

Billy-— [aside God help me ! ) 

Mr. Maynott, I've been chosen by my fellow-laborei's to come 
to you , and for this cause , I am turned out of work. But , never- 
the-less, I shall always be true to the dinner-pail man. 

Maynott — 

What do you mean by "the dinner-pail man"? Is that a new 
name for your union ? 

Billh— 

Mr. Maynott, haven't you ever seen the dinner-pail man , 

As he passes by with pail in hand ? 

You ought to know him, as he passes your door 

For he is one of your employees. 

His strength and labor he doesn't repent , 

So don't deprive him his dollar and cent. 

This wide , wide world , as long as it stands , 
Shall always be blest with the dinner-pail man. 
There is room for him , and room for thee , 
And the same air you breathe , to him ' tis free. 
He's a part of this world , in God's word , I've read ; 
So don't deprive him of his daily bread. 



30 THE DIN NEE-PAIL MAN 

God made this world for great and small , 

So don't reach out to take it all. 

The dinnei'-pail man is nothing new , 

To you and to others he's always true. 

So don't crush him down — let's fill up Ills pail 

And he will surely never fail. 

The dinner-pail man ! Oh, the dinner-pail man ! 

" Down him ! " they say , " Oh , down him , if you can ! " 

But down him you can't; it will never be done. 

Why? Because he belongs to the union. 

These unions are not for a few , 

But for all men and women who prove themselves true. 

( Phone rings ) 

Jfr. MaynoU — 

Is this Mr. Cad well? There is a strike here in one of the rooms. 
Yes. In what room — did you say? It's in Mr. Clack's room. Yes, 
yes. All right. To-morrow at 11 , did you say ? From 3 to 5 ? Yes. 
All right, (to Toms) Sit down , Mr. Toms. You may tell your 
people that Mr. Cadwell , the ^treasurer of the corporation, Avill be 
here to-morrow and wishes to meet from thi-ee to five delegates of 
your union, at 11 o'clock, sharp. They are to meet in this office' 
That will be all. {Billy lences office ) 

{Mr. Maynott , to Su2^erh(te)ident) I don't see why such men 
are not kept under lock and key ; they are dangerous men ; tliey are 
always at the head of some movement to create trouble somewhere- 
Now , you see , this man , Toms , seems to have a fair education and , 
consequently, these poor, ignorant people in the mills listen to 
whatever he says. Now that's wrong. If I had my way, those 



THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 31 

poor people would have a limited education. It doesn't do to give 
them too much schooling : they get to knowing too much, 
[3Ir. Maynott and Superintendent leaoe office.) 
( Curtain ) 

Scene 2. 
Police Station. 
Lillian in 2)ol ice station , talking v:ith Dick, vnth her head 
bandaged. 

Dick- 
Why , how do you do , Lillian 'i 
Lillian — 

Pretty well, but my head pains me some. 
nick— 

You should not have come : you are not fit to be out so soon ; 
and , beside , this is no place for ladies. 
Lillian — 

I suppose so ; and it is no place for gentlemen , either. Oh , 
Dick ! I couldn't stay in the house after they told me you was 
here— and on my account , too. 
Dick — 

I suppose you w'on't care for me , now that I am a jail-bird. 
Lillian — 

It's not your fault. 
Dick — 

Now , Lillian , I am going to tell you who I am : I am the son 
of M. D. Cadwell , treasurer of the corporation that you and I have 
been working for. 



32 THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 

Lillian- - 

Why , Dick ! How is it that you have been working as a 
bobbin-boy ? 
Dick— 

You shall know all about it to-morroAv. The reason I came 
here was to right a wrong , and I think that I have. Tell your 
father that he needn't worry about his job in the mill; he can keep 
it as long as he wishes. Good-bye. Try to be at the othce to-morrow 
if you can. Don't tell anyone what I have told you. Good-bye. 

Scene 3. 
{Billy Tom.s'' house. Lillian has just returned home.) 

Lilian — 

Good news, father! Good news , mother ! 
Billy— 

Why ! What's up now ? 
Lillian — 

You can keep your job in the mill just as long as you want it. 
Billy — {Rising up from his chair) 

Why , who told you so V 
Lillian — 

I've just come from the police station to see Dick and he told 
me so. 
Billy— 

Poor fellow ! I've not much faith in what he saj-s , he's in the 
police station. I only wish it was so. I suppose it would be different 
if he could have his say ; but what can a poor bobbin-boy do when 
Mr. Maynott says: " No . " ? 



THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 33 

Lillian — 

But, pa, Dick is notabobbin-bo}' anymore, he's Mr. Cadwell's 
son ! 

Billy— 

I knoAv that he's Mr. Cadwell's son ; child , he couldn't be 
Mr. Maynott's son and be Dick Cad well, 

( Lillian gets up and leaves (he room ) 
Mrs. Totns — 

To-morrow is the day-before-Christmas , Billy. 
Billy— . 

That's so ! I never thought of it before. Then comes the 
infernal machine , I suppose. Well , I must go to the hall and tell 
those people what Mr. Maynott said. 
Mrs. Toms — 

Why don't you stop and see Dick on your way down ? 
Billy— 

I think I shall. 
Mrs. Toms — 

Oh , dear! It seems as if misfortune followed us everywhere we 
go. Billy is out of work again, poor fellow! Well it's just as 
Lillian says: "In some way, or other, the Lord will provide. " 
( thinks a minute) It won't make much difference; it's only two 
days more. I'll do it! Billy's out and Lillian's gone to bed. 
{goes and yets box) That's Billy's infernal machine. All these 
ten long years I have been longing to see what is in this little box. 
I shall know this very night. {Takes key and unlocks box., takes 
out Pa2:)ers ., Gold Jeicelry , Gold Watch and Chain., takes up 
papers and reads tJieni , falls in a faint but recovers and 
says : ) I mustn't be foolish. It's all true. Poor Lillian ! She 
shall know all this soon. Just think of it! Our Lillian heiress to 



I ^^C. 



34 THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 

Lord Rockwell's estate , with all his millions ! Why , she's a 
millionairess ! And her working in the mills all these years! Lady 
Rockwell: that's her name ! ( She takes other papers and reads. 
Hears noise , j^icks up papers ) 

My grief! He is coming and he mustn't see these papers. 
( Curtain ) 

Scene 4. 
Mr. Maynott's Office. 
Delegates — Billy Toms, Mary Burnhart, Lillian Toms (head 
bandaged ) , Nellie Conners , James Burns. 

( 3Ir. Clack and Jim Kass enter ) 

Mary — ( to Lillian ) 

Oh , see that son-of-a-gun ! 

( 31r. Cadwell and Mr. Maynott enter ) 
Mr. Cadirell — ( takiny off his hat ) 

Good Morning , Ladies and Gentlemen. ( Mr. 3Iaynott says 
?<othiny ) (To Maynott) — It seems queer those strikes should 
all be in one room , but I hope I shall be able to learn the particulars 
before I go back. ( then looks around and says to Mr. Maynott ) 
Do you know of a Dick Cadwell who has been working for this 
corporation V 

( Lillian iohisp)ers to Mary ) 

Mary — ( half-aloud ) 

T told you so. Oh , I'm so glad ! 
Mr. Maynott — 

No, I don't; (turns to Clack) Do you ? 
Mr. Clack — 

Yes. 



THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 35 

Cadwell — 

Where is he V 
Mary gets up and says — 

He's in the police station , Sir. 
Mr. Cadirell — {getting up from his chair <jtiickly ). 

In the police station ! Whj' , what for ? 
Mary — 

For hitting Mr. Clack , Sir. 
Mr. Cadvell — {goes to phone and rings nuickly ). 

Give me the police station as quickly as possible. { Stands 
waiting at p)hone for a. moment ). 
Mr. Maynott — ( goes to Clack and, says : ) 

I guess that you have been a little too hasty ; you should have 
held your temper and not let it get away with you. ( Clack says 
nothittg. ) 

Mr. Cadwell — {to p>hone) 

Is that you, Mr. Rankin? Have you got a young man by the 
name of Dick CadAvell? Let him go and I will stand all the damages. 
Tell him that he is wanted at Mr. Maynott's office. If you are afraid 
to let him go, send an officer with him. It's Mr. Cadwell. All right 
( sets doion and drums 09i chair). 

Mr. 3Iaynott — 

Here comes Mr. Rankin with his team. His team must have 
been all hitched up. ( Dick and Mr. Rankin enter). 

Dick— 

Halloo , father ? 

Mr. C a die ell — 

My son ! 
( Dick looks around and sees Lillian. Goes to her and takes her 



36 THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 

hand and speaks a feio words in a low tone.) 
Mr. Cadwell — ( looking at his loatch ) 

Dick , we are waiting for you to settle this. I am going to 
leave it all to you , if the}^ all agree to it. What do you say, ladies 
and gentlemen ? 
All together — 

We are satisfied with Dick. 
Mr. Cadwell ~ 

Conie , Dick , and tell your story. 
Dick— 

My story is short and it won't take long to tell it. ( takes 
Lillian by the ha7id and leads Iter to his father) Father, I will 
introduce you to Miss Toms. This is the lady who was hit by a 
shuttle that flew from a loom which had been out of repair for a 
month and the loom-fixer either could not, or would not fix it, and 
I can prove it by the operator ; she is here. 
Ma/ry — 

Yes ! The son-of-a-gun ! 
Mr. Cadtcell — ( turning to Maynott) 

Why keep such a man? ( Maynott ansioers nothing) . 
Offlce hoy enters and says : — 

A "Mrs. Toms " is here and wishes to come in. 
Mr. Maynott— 

Tell her it is impossible at this time. 
Mr. Cadwell — 

Who is this Mrs. Toms? 
Billy— 

She is my wife. 
Mr. Cadwell — 

Let her come in. ( turning to 31a,ynott ) It's all right , is it not ? 



THE DINNER-PAIL MAN 87 

J//-. Maynott — 

I guess so. 

( Mrs. Toms etiters and is yioeii a chair ) 
3Irs. I'oms — 

Ladies and Gentlemen : I don't know as it is right for me to 
come here , bnt I came on my own impulse. I have here a little box 
and it's contents will let people know who we are , and what we are. 
It may be of some interest to Mr. Richard Cadwell. V»'ill you read 
these papers ? 
Dick reads ; tlien reads them aloud — 

To my niece, l^illian Rockwell Toms, my Brother James ' only 
infant child : — 

I do bequeath and will my Estate in Naas , County of Kildare 
and also my County Seat in Oldham , all , together with notes and 
bonds ; she being the rightful heiress to all the Rockwell Estate, 
with the title of " Lady Rockwell. " ( then reads other papers. ) 

To my cousin , William Toms , 1 bequeath and will all my 
mill property known as " The Oldham Mills , " Manchester , England ; 
provided the said William Toms provides a suitable home for my 
Brother James' infant child, Lillian Rockwell Tc.ms, until she' 
reaches the age of eighteen years, her birthday falling on Christmas 
[ !Siyned : ^ Lord William Rockwell Toms, Admr 
H. W. Hazelton , Magistrate. 
[ 'Witness : ] James McKinnon. 
Dick — ( takiny Lillian by the hand) 

Father, this is Lady Rockwell, my future wife; and you, Mr. 
Toms, you are the sole owner of the Oldham Mills, Manchester, 
England. 
J^illy. - ( risl*ty from his chair ) 

What ! r the owner of the mill I was driven out of! Well , Bv 



38 THE DIN NEE-PAIL MAN 

the bloody , bleeding bugger. I'll be buggered and a ' alf . 

( 3Ir. Cadtrell looks at his watch. Did- steps for vard and 

pohiting at Clack and I£ass , says : ) 

For the benefit of these poor people who are working in that 
weaving room , I say : those two men are not fit to be in a weaving 
room. 
3fr. Cadioell — 

Do you hear that , Mr. Maynott ? ( Mr. Maynott nods ) 
Well, then, I shall expect you to act accordingly. 

{All come for vKird ., except Mr. ^faynott.. Clack and Kass) 
Billy— 

Although a mill-owner I shall never go back on the dinner-pail 
man. 
Lillian — 

In some way , or other , the Lord will provide. Good night. 



^ 



1904 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



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